Simplify Your Life Through Physical Boundaries

Establishing physical boundaries in your life can simplify decision-making and help you prioritize your current projects. Here are a few examples of boundaries I use to help me focus.

1. Outline a physical area to work in. When working in a poverty-stricken area, there is a need everywhere, and it makes you want to try and help everyone. It can spread you so thin that you really can’t see measurable progress or impact in any particular area. One day, I got out a map of the city of Anderson, SC, and drew a physical boundary on the map of the area that I wanted to impact. If an opportunity was inside that boundary, I would entertain the idea, but if it was outside it, I would automatically decline. Even if a project was on the other side of the road from my boundary, I would say no.

2. Can I pick your brain? When I was the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, I said yes to this question too many times. It was often asked by well-meaning people who also wanted to start a non-profit and had a big heart for the same people I did. But I overextended myself and didn’t establish a sustainable use of my time and energy. This is one of the reasons I started A Leader's Best Friend, and now charge people for these conversations. It allows me to prioritize my time and energy for your projects and ideas. When customers are charged for a product or service, they understand that there is value attached to it, and they are more likely to respect the time and effort put into it.

3. Create a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist approach to fashion that involves having a small collection of versatile and timeless clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits. In general, I have custom-tailored jeans in different colors, neutral t-shirts (black, white, gray, green, and navy blue), a couple of pairs of shoes, and several sports coats that can be dressed up or down. They all match, and it cuts down on most decisions regarding what I wear. A capsule wardrobe can also make getting dressed in the morning easier and less stressful, as you have a curated collection of clothes that you know work well together.

Having healthy boundaries are crucial for maintaining our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Boundaries help us establish and maintain healthy relationships, avoid burnout, and achieve our goals. By setting boundaries, we communicate our needs and limits to others and show respect for ourselves and our time. It may not always be easy, but it is essential to prioritize our boundaries and assert them consistently to live a fulfilling and balanced life.